Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger will return to the field Sunday against the Chargers in Pittsburgh after missing three games with shoulder and rib injuries. ANDY LYONS, GETTY IMAGES

BY THE NUMBERS

Football has changed, and wide receivers are the biggest statistical beneficiaries of those changes. New England's Wes Welker needs eight receptions this week to become the first player with five 100-catch seasons. Brandon Marshall and Reggie Wayne are on the verge of joining the elite class that has four — a group that will become less and less exclusive in coming years.

Player 100-catch seasons (totals)

Marvin Harrison

4 (115, 102, 109, 143)

Jerry Rice

4 (100, 112, 122, 108)

Wes Welker

x-4 (112, 111, 123, 122, 92)

Brandon Marshall

x-3 (102, 104, 101, 91)

Reggie Wayne

x-3 (104, 100, 111, 88)

Note: x-Through Week 13

THREE AND OUT

Three things to watch for in today's games:

1. Ben in ... Norv out?

Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger returns after missing the past three games, and he comes back to a team that's alive and well after last week's possibly season-saving victory over Baltimore. If you're looking for a team in shambles, check out the opposite sideline. That's where you'll find the reeling Chargers, who must find a way to focus on football amid reports that their coach and GM will be fired at season's end.

2. Battle of the Beltway

Is there a cooler-sounding nickname for a rivalry than "Battle of the Beltway"? It seems more suited to the History Channel than NFL Network. But we're talking football here, a marquee matchup between the neighboring Baltimore Ravens and Washington Redskins. The Ravens have owned the Beltway for most of this century. But Robert Griffin III's arrival has sparked a Redskins revival. Can the ravaged Ravens defense come up with a way to stop him?

3. Peyton vs. Payton

Which Peyton/Payton story will have a bigger impact on the field: Brown-turned-Chief Peyton Hillis getting into a hilarious war of words with "crazy ex-girlfriend" Joe Thomas? Or New York Giants punter — yes, punter — Steve Weatherford suggesting that suspended Saints coach Sean Payton is finding ways to communicate with his team? The correct answer: None of the above.

THURSDAY'S RESULT

DENVER 26, HOUSTON 13: Peyton Manning threw his 30th TD pass of the season as the Broncos won their eighth in a row.

Injury impact: Amendola is a game-time decision after being limited all week, so check the actives/inactives for his status. St. Louis' passing game functions better when he's available.

Fantasy tip: Rams WR Chris Givens is worth picking up regardless of Amendola's status. Givens has 16 catches for 207 yards and a TD over the past two weeks.

Lev's look: Both teams are on playoff life support. I like the Bills for two reasons: (1) They're playing host to a dome team in 40-degree weather; (2) the Rams might be susceptible to a post-49ers letdown.

Injury impact: Albert is one of several Chiefs starters who were limited in practice, so their inactive report bears watching. Cribbs also was limited but is expected to play.

Fantasy tip: Speedy Browns rookie WR Josh Gordon continues to ascend. He had six catches for 116 yards (both career highs) and a TD last week.

Lev's look: The Chiefs rode the emotion of last week's tragic events en route to a rare victory. It's unlikely they'll have much fuel left in that tank, especially away from Arrowhead. The Browns are 4-3 in their past seven.

Injury impact: Brown's absence means an increased workload for rookie Vick Ballard, who has had 70-plus scrimmage yards four times.

Fantasy tip: Andrew Luck hasn't been quite so Reggie Wayne-centric lately, making others, including Donnie Avery, viable if you're in a pinch. Luck targeted Avery 14 times last week, connecting on five of them for 91 yards and two TDs.

Lev's look: Why are the 8-4 Colts just a 51/2-point favorite at home against the 4-8 Titans? Does Vegas not believe? Or is this a trap? I say the latter. Colts to win, Titans to cover.

Injury impact: The Bears get their second look at Adrian Peterson in three weeks, so the timing of Urlacher's injury couldn't be worse. Peterson had 108 yards on 18 carries the first time.

Fantasy tip: Is Minnesota's defense a better bet than Chicago's this week? The Bears also will be without CB Tim Jennings. Meanwhile, Jared Allen faces the shaky Chicago O-line in favorable home-dome conditions.

Lev's look: The Bears haven't inspired much confidence with their recent play, and now the injuries are mounting. Can't back them as a road favorite in their current state.

Injury impact: LeSean who? Rookie Bryce Brown has 347 rushing yards the past two weeks. He also has gotten more touches than McCoy did in any of the previous six games.

Fantasy tip: With DeSean Jackson out, Jeremy Maclin, Jason Avant and Riley Cooper each had five targets last week. Avant had the most catches (4) and yards (79).

Lev's look: The Eagles still are fighting for Andy Reid, but their playoff chances are long gone. The Buccaneers still are in it, and they have the big-play weapons to exploit Philly's brutal secondary.

Injury impact: Suggs reportedly will play despite a torn biceps; check the inactives just in case. Fletcher hasn't missed a game in his 15-year career.

Fantasy tip: He isn't young and exciting like teammate Torrey Smith, but Ravens WR Anquan Boldin is more consistent. Boldin has been targeted at least seven times in eight games and last week had five catches for 81 yards and a TD.

Lev's look: I really didn't like what I saw from Joe Flacco last week. I continue to be impressed with Robert Griffin III. Redskins win their fourth in a row.

Injury impact: Keller is one of the Jets' few reliable targets, so his absence makes a bad situation worse. Likewise Shorts, who has been one of the league's most productive receivers over the past seven weeks (88.4 yards/game).

Fantasy tip: Like the 7-6 Jets-Cardinals thriller last week, this looks like an ugly game on paper. Either defense worth consideration.

Lev's look: Will last week's benching cure what's been ailing Mark Sanchez? Don't count on it. Sanchez's confidence is at an all-time low. Playing in the Land of Tebow won't help either.

Injury impact: With Clary out and OG Tyronne Green doubtful, the Chargers likely will be without three of their projected starting five up front. That'll make it challenging at best for Philip Rivers to exploit Taylor's absence.

Fantasy tip: Don't look at Antonio Gates' name; look at his production and this matchup. Gates has just 79 receiving yards the past three weeks. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, is No. 1 against the pass.

Lev's look: Sometimes mismatches on paper don't play out that way. This isn't one of those cases, especially with Ben Roethlisberger back in the lineup.

Injury impact: With nickel CB Trufant out and Brandon Browner starting his suspension, the Seahawks are thin at corner. If only the Cardinals had someone who could throw the football.

Fantasy tip: The latest someone is John Skelton, who, if nothing else, is an upgrade over Ryan Lindley. That should give Larry Fitzgerald owners at least a glimmer of hope.

Lev's look: Although Seattle is all but unbeatable at home, there's some letdown potential here after last week's OT triumph at Chicago. I don't see the Seahawks losing, but I can see the Cardinals covering.

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